{wordless wednesday}

{two faces}

This one - above - makes me laugh. She's just pretending to be mad, but when she really is, watch out. She been turning out tantrums left and right lately. Kicking, screaming, crying...then whole nine. Tantrums are a new thing around here. Emily never had them. Never. So it's a learning curve. And I have learned to give her some space.

 
But then she can be so sweet. She loves to give hugs and kisses. She is so loving and caring with her stuffed animals. She loves to help out. She can be very funny. She is such a giggler. And truthfully, she is like this most of the time. Thank goodness.

{the other one}

She's so darn photogenic. I mean, I know I am pretty biased, but what a pretty girl. Yet, she runs from me when I pull out the old camera. I usually have to bribe her. Will she appreciate all this when she's all grown up? I have no idea. But really, only one very small part of me does it for her. I do it for me. I want to remember her in all her growing-up-ness.



She is so very excited about her Spring Concert next week. And even though we have heard her sing all the songs in full - Beatles tunes - I am still excited to hear her sing them with all her classmates.

She also has her very first softball game next Saturday. She has vastly improved - according to her dad - in the hitting area, as well as fielding. I am both excited and nervous for her. Go Thundercats! I have some pictures of her from her past few practices - I'll post those soon.

{really? can it be?}

Almost a month late...but Spring is finally starting to show off. This is right outside my office window. It wasn't even blooming a little bit this morning. It's just amazing to me how fast it can all change.

Finally.

{wordless wednesday}

{happy monday}

A photo of two of my favorite people. My other favorite was getting her shoes on and not available for pictures.

Remembering my Dad

Every day I read some article or see something on the internet, and I think about how I'd like to share it with my dad because I know he would find it interesting. That's when it hits me the hardest that he's gone. Though these last several years we were separated by a great physical distance, throughout my life my dad had never left my side. He was a kind and nurturing father. He always showed me new and interesting things and gave me an inquisitive nature that has helped me to find things out for myself. Ever since I was a little boy I could never rest until I figured out how something worked. He taught me how to use tools, how to take pictures with a camera, how to drive a car, how to find things out. Anything that is my passion today is rooted in the teachings of my father.

When he started his own business in Florida in 1982, I loved to go to the store and help out as I could, even as a preteen. Eventually I started working in the store, part-time at first, and then full-time. We had a very close working relationship. Although we had different opinions on some matters, we typically saw eye-to-eye and never fought. We even lived together as roommates before I met Allison, and still there was rarely any friction. Our working relationship developed over the years. In the beginning, I was dependent on his direction and guidance, but as the years drew on our relationship changed. As I learned what he taught me and became more proficient at my job, I noticed that it was my father who was beginning to depend on me. It was not lost on me, and I was very honored that he placed so much trust in me. As he provided for me, so was I able to provide for him.

Yes, my father was my friend, but our relationship transcended mere friendship. When I got married it was natural that I selected him as my Best Man. He fit the description well. For all the gifts he gave me in his lifetime, the best gift I could give in return was the gift of life - for him to see me live the life I live, and to see his genes passed down to my children. So while the sadness of his death is fresh, it is tempered by remembering the closeness of his relationship to me - Father, Mentor, Provider, Teacher, Co-worker, Friend. And yet, remembering makes his passing all the more difficult to endure.